I'm definitely not a huge fan of melodic death metal, but I've found that when I actually do like a melodic death metal album, I like it A LOT. I don't have very many picks on this list (less than 10, really) so it'll be short and sweet.

Also keep in mind - I have either not heard or listened to VERY LITTLE of the following bands:

Wintersun
Dissection
In Flames
Children of Bodom
...and many more "essential" melo-death bands.